Bias - what is it?

Bias is putting across an unfair

or unbalanced opinion.

Sports journalists need to be very careful of bias.

As reporters, they are expected to write fairly and
accurately. They need to be objective - this means
they are not biased in any way. They are meant to
report the facts, not their opinions!

However, for many writers that is easier said than done...

If you were asked to write a fair and balanced account of a football match between
Manchester United and Arsenal you would have to describe exactly what happened
truthfully. If you supported Arsenal, you might describe any Manchester United
goal as ‘lucky’, but any Arsenal goal as ‘fantastic’ or ‘skilful’. Doing this would be
biased. You would be putting across an unfair or unbalanced opinion.

This is an account of a football match written by a Manchester United

fan. Manchester United lost 4 - 0!

‘Arsenal were so lucky at the match. The superb

and skilful Man United players were beaten by
the lucky, cheating Arsenal players. The referee
was totally biased and he allowed four goals that
were all offside. I have never seen so much luck
and cheating.’

Here the writer is showing bias. Arsenal are always described as lucky or cheating,
whereas Man United are always described as superb. The fan insults the referee and
gives no credit to the Arsenal players.

© 2008 www.teachitprimary.co.uk 10325 Page 1 of 2

 Bias - what is it?

Name: ...................................................... Date: ............................. LO: ..........................................

Questions

1. Fill in the gaps in the text below, using the words in the table to help you.

Bias is where someone has an .................................................... opinion about

something. We can recognise bias by finding ....................................................

.................................................... . Bias is useful to us, as it helps us find out a

person’s .................................................... or .................................................... . If someone
.................................................... a particular football team, they are likely to
.................................................... bias when describing a match. Everything their
team does would be described as ...................................................., and everything
the opposing team does would be described as ....................................................or

.................................................... .

unbalanced opinion
fantastic beliefs
opinions unfair
show lucky
terrible supports

2. In your own words, explain why the report you read before of the football
match is biased.

3. Now rewrite the football report pretending you are an Arsenal supporter. How
would it change?

4. What does a sports journalist have to do when reporting on a match?

5. Why might a journalist find it difficult to remain objective?

© 2008 www.teachitprimary.co.uk 10325 Page 2 of 2